Musicians from across the generations are set to call for assurances young people will not be priced out of learning a musical instrument.

Over a thousand people have signed an online petition calling for fees for young people’s lessons, music camps and orchestras not to be increased above the rate of inflation.

The petition will be handed into Perth and Kinross Council tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, August 29) by the current leader of Perth Youth Orchestra, Nicholas Baughan, and the very first leader of the group, Alister Allan.

This comes after the local authority agreed to increase fees in the instrumental music service by 60 per cent over the next three years at February’s budget.

The organisers of the petition say if the fee hikes go ahead as planned, some families may not be able to afford to pay for their child to learn a musical instrument.

Susannah Rae, from the young musicians’ parents’ association, said: “The petition has now got over 1200 signatures and will be handed in to 2 High Street on August 29 at 4.30pm by the first leader and current leader of PYO, Alister Allan and Nicholas Baughan.

“It is worth noting that when Alister Allan was leader, PYO had about 20 members, all of whom had private lessons.

“In contrast, Nicholas Baughan has always had lessons through the instrumental music service and also plays in Kinross High School string orchestra which is now bigger than the original PYO.

“This is therefore a huge success story for Perth and Kinross Council. It would be a pity if it is put at risk by unmanageable fee increases.”

The petition, which is addressed to the council’s convener of lifelong learning, Councillor Caroline Shiers, says: “Perth and Kinross Council are increasing instrumental music tuition fees by up to 60 per cent over the next three years, starting with 20 per cent this year.

“This includes fees for lessons, music camps and Perth and Kinross bands and orchestras (known as ‘central groups’).

“At the current uptake, this would mean that music camps would run at a profit, something which would not be allowed for a school trip.

“We therefore call upon Perth and Kinross Council to ensure that music camps are not priced so as to make a profit at the current rate of uptake [and] ensure that any increases in fees for lessons, music camp and central groups in subsequent years are not above the rate of inflation.

“If fees for music lessons increase by 60 per cent, they will be almost as expensive as private lessons.

“This will mean some children will give up because of cost and those who can afford it may swap to private lessons as better value for money (instrumental music service lessons are often in pairs or small groups) decimating the instrumental music service as a result.

“Perth and Kinross Council are also putting approximately £35,000 per year for the next three years into increasing the availability of lessons to children from less well off families.

“While this is welcome, it takes more than three years to learn to play an instrument and will not reach everyone who will struggle with the increased fees.”

Alister Allan and Nicholas Baughan will be joined by other current and past musicians when they hand in the petition tomorrow.